Tag: Frank Ross

Texans special teams coach Frank Ross admires Ka’imi Fairbairn’s consistency

Houston Texans special teams coach Frank Ross appreciates how kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn has started the season with consistency.

The only big change to hit Ka’imi Fairbairn on the football field is a number change.

The Houston Texans’ kicker sports No. 15 now that quarterback C.J. Stroud obtained the rights to No. 7, Fairbairn’s number from 2017-22. Although the numeral has changed, the production on the field is close to where it was a year ago.

Fairbairn finished 2022 with a 93.5% hit rate on field goals (29-31). Through five games this season, the former UCLA Bruin is 93.8% (15-16).

Texans special teams coach Frank Ross told reporters Oct. 12 the reliability from Fairbairn makes for an impressive trait.

“He’s loose, man, and he does a great job of staying level-headed,” Ross said. “Nothing is too big or too small, he’s just the same person every day — consistency. Happy with where he’s at. No kicker is perfect, but whenever we’re in practice and we miss a kick then he does his best to make that correction in real time in the moment and not over correcting it. Just be whatever correction he’s made.”

Fairbairn has also been consistent on extra points. Since Week 1 of last year, the Texans are 34-34 on extra points, which is the much preferred kick attempt the Texans would like to see from the former Lou Groza Award winner.

“Hopefully he continues to grow and anytime we go out on the field, we expect points,” said Ross.

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Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says DeMeco Ryans excels at connection

Houston Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says that one of DeMeco Ryans’ best attributes is his ability to connect.

Everyone has been older than Frank Ross.

Whether the Houston Texans special team coordinator was getting his break in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and Frank Reich or serving under David Culley and Lovie Smith the past two seasons in Houston, the coaches ranged from big brother to father figures.

DeMeco Ryans is in a new category. The Texans’ sixth coach in team history is three years older than the 36-year-old Ross. For once, someone who is a peer is Ross’ boss.

However, Ross does not mind the age gap — or lack thereof.

“Doesn’t matter about necessarily age, but the one part about the NFL is that it keeps everybody young,” Ross told reporters Aug. 24. “We’re all out here faking like we have jobs, but we get to just play a game for fun so I guess age doesn’t really necessarily matter in that regard.”

What Ross has noticed as he has worked with Ryans is the former Pro Bowl linebacker’s ability to relate.

Said Ross: “The guy has the ability to connect with any human there is, so whether that’s talking about the nitty gritty all the way down to the x’s and o’s, the operation, or whether it’s just having a conversation.”

Even though Ross and Ryans are close in age, the special teams coach still sees an opportunity to grow and learn.

“So far, it’s been nothing but fantastic learning from him, a guy who has done it at the highest level, a guy that’s done it,” said Ross. “I mean I’m going to be all ears and anytime he is speaking I’m going to have my antennas up listening. Just trying to absorb as much as I can from his knowledge.”

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Texans K Ka’imi Fairbairn pledging field goals, extra points to help rebuild Maui

Houston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is pledging his extra points and field goals to raise money to help rebuild Maui following the wildfires.

Maui suffered an immense disaster with the wildfires that struck Hawaii’s big island in mid-August.

Houston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, who was born in Kailua on O’ahu, is using his platform in the NFL to help the residents tasked with an arduous and emotional rebuilding process.

According to Fairbairn’s Instagram, the Texans kicker will donate $250 per made field goal and $100 per made extra point to rebuild Maui in partnership with the Lonomai Foundation.

Texans special teams coach Frank Ross told reporters Aug. 24 that Fairbairn’s efforts to help Maui are, “just a small representation of who he is.”

“That’s who he is every day,” Ross said. “I mean, the guy has such a high level of care for human and that’s who he is.”

While Ross admitted to never venturing out from the United States’ mainland in his life, he nevertheless could appreciate Fairbairn using his platform in the NFL to help the state where he grew up.

“God bless him and for anyone impacted for ‘Imi’ [Fairbairn] and part of our country, I hope everything can back on their feet as soon as possible so that’s fantastic that he’s doing that,” said Ross.

Fairbairn graduated from Punahou High School in Honolulu as a star in football and water polo.

“Hopefully everyone that’s out there that saw that can help contribute for him and Hawaii,” Ross said.

To learn more, visit rebuildingmaui.org

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Texans’ Frank Ross is ‘excited’ to see what K Jake Bates offers

Houston Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross says he is looking forward to what rookie K Jake Bates can offer in training camp.

The Houston Texans aren’t scared of competition — and they can’t afford to be if they want to improve from their 3-13-1 finish last season.

One area where the Texans are infusing competition that may be puzzling is kicker. Despite Ka’imi Fairbairn coming off a year where he drilled a career-high 93.5% on field goals (29-31) and went perfect for the first time on extra points (24-24), Houston signed a kicker.

The Texans announced Aug. 1 they signed undrafted Jake Bates from Arkansas.

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross emphasized the signing is part of the evaluation process that takes place in training camp.

“We have to evaluate as many players as we can,” said Ross. “This is training camp, so proving yourself every single day. As much competition as we can bring to the entire roster — doesn’t matter what you are, what position you are — the better is the way I see it.”

Bates, who graduated from Tomball High School, played his senior year at Arkansas. The 5-10, 202-pounder led FBS with an 85.3% touchback percentage (64-75).

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Could the Texans use more squib kicks on kickoffs?

With the new kickoff rule providing for fair-catching kickoffs, would the Houston Texans use more squib kicks to entice opponents to return kicks?

NFL rules on player safety are typically a pendulum that swing either for the offense or defense.

The league’s new kickoff rules stipulate that a returner can fair-catch a kick and have the offense’s drive start at the 25-yard line — the same result as if there were a touchback.

Houston Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross is a competitor yet also believes in player safety. Nevertheless as a coach in the transition phase of the game, Ross understands special teams is a component of the game where players are able to make their case for inclusion on the 53-man roster.

“When we get a chance to cover a kick, let’s go out there with our hair on fire,” Ross told reporters May 31 after organized team activities. “We get a chance to return it, we want those guys to get shot out of a cannon and go. I got it. I’m 100% in favor of player safety, so, anything to elongate the existence of the NFL and our game, great, and player safety.”

While Ross was filibustering on playing within the rules of the game, he provided an interesting scenario.

Said Ross: “Those are the rules, so we’ll play within that scheme. If that’s going to save time, waving a fair catch, end-of-half situation or you’ve got to learn how to squib it and get it through, you’ve got to judge yard mark, what’s the average return.”

A squib kick, which is a kickoff that hits ground first as it bounds its way to the opposing end zone similar to a grounder in baseball, would fall outside the parameters of fair-kick eligibility. If a returner fielded a squibbed kick, the point where they were downed by contact would be the starting point of the offense’s drive, not the 25-yard line — even with the rule change.

After possession field position is a key part of special teams.

“That starting field position, you guys have known this, that chart doesn’t lie,” said Ross. “Every yard means percentage up on opportunity to score on the offensive end or defensive side to defend.”

If the Texans wanted to mitigate the opponent’s ability to start drives at the 25-yard line, using Ka’imi Fairbairn to squib more could be an option.

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Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says Tank Dell has a certain quickness

Houston Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross says that rookie wideout Tank Dell brings a type of quickness to the return game.

Special teams has surprisingly been one of the Houston Texans’ better units over the past two seasons.

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross has had the Texans finish ninth in yards per kickoff return and 13th in yards per punt return last season. In 2021, the Texans dipped to fifth-worst in yards per kickoff return, but were tied for 10th-best in yards per punt return.

The Texans’ return units may have a new weapon on their hands in third-round receiver Tank Dell. As a punt returner last season for the Houston Cougars, Dell fielded nine punts for 153 yards and a touchdown.

No doubt the Texans are hoping to cultivate Dell’s receiving abilities, but having the 5-8, 165-pound wideout provide playmaking ability in the return game would give Houston a needed edge.

Ross told reporters May 31 during organized team activities that Dell has a natural instinct to be an effective returner.

“There’s a God-given athleticism element, of course, where guys know how to just not spend too much time decelerating or it’s just easier for guys to run as a smaller guy,” said Ross. “He’s got that quickness, that suddenness that hopefully he can translate to when he’s out there live with the ball in his hands.”

The most important aspect Dell, and the other Texans returners, will need to nail down is ball security.

Said Ross: “The ball can’t be on the ground, so whoever is back there handling it, security is number one. Get the ball back for our offense, start a drive. And then anything past the first down is bonus. When we get a chance to take it, we’ll try and do that as many times as possible.”

The Texans have had two lost fumbles on punt returns since 2021.

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Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says DeMeco Ryans’ playing days bring gravitas

Houston Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross says that new coach DeMeco Ryans being a former player carries a certain gravitas.

Far be it for Frank Ross to speak for the Houston Texans’ players, but the special teams coordinator hopes that every man on the roster can appreciate DeMeco Ryans.

The Texans hired their former linebacker from 2006-11 to lead from the sidelines as the sixth full-time coach in team history.

“A guy that has walked in our shoes and climbed ourselves to the top: that should be internal motivation for those guys,” Ross said. “I don’t want to speak for them, but I hope that’s the case.”

Ross managed to stay on as special teams coordinator for the 2023 season. Despite the three coaching hires that have occurred since Ross joined the Texans in 2021, he has maintained his role coordinating Houston’s transition phase of the game.

Although the 38-year-old has only been on the job for a little over a month, the discussions that Ross has had with Ryans have been encouraging and energizing.

Said Ross: “Definitely have had some good conversations, and people seem to be pretty excited to say the least from our players perspective. I just think somebody who’s walked in their shoes can come up and say that to them, specifically a former Texan, it’s going to carry a lot of weight and go a long way.”

The Texans’ offseason workouts begin April 3, and part of the coaching staff’s job will be establishing cohesion and chemistry throughout the roster and staff.

Coach will tell you, he just needs to make sure that the guys are all on the same page, learning together,” said Ross. “That’s what it’s going to take and push us forward.”

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Frank Ross reveals strategy on how he has stayed with the Texans through three coaching hires

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross talked about what he tells a new coach that is hired by the Houston Texans.

Much like how stakeholders and global leaders need to be conscious of what world they are leaving behind for Keith Richards, the McNair family needs to think about what coaching staff they are assembling around Frank Ross.

The special teams coordinator is now on his third different coaching staff since the Houston Texans hired him in 2021 to be part of the David Culley era. When the club transitioned to Lovie Smith in 2022, Ross stayed, and he managed to catch on with rookie coach DeMeco Ryans’ regime.

The former Indianapolis Colts assistant special teams coach revealed how he has managed to be the one constant despite the staff upheaval over the past three years.

“Any time there’s going to be a turnover of staff, turnover of players, the first thing is a little bit of a get to know,” said Ross. “I would imagine a new head football coach is going to come in and say, ‘Hey I want to get to put the best staff together.’ I just try to put my foot forward and say, ‘This is how I see things and how I operate. Hopefully that’s a good fit for you, coach.’”

Ross’ presentation on special teams was good enough to convince Ryans. Naturally the unit’s work in 2022 made good arguments as kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn had the third-highest field goal percentage in the NFL at 93.5%, didn’t miss one of his 24 extra points, and punter Cam Johnston was 12th in the league with a 48.1 yards per punt.

The 37-year-old from John Carroll University and former New England Patriots scout isn’t going to rest on his laurels.

Said Ross: “I think as far as any body that’s going to be retained at any role, doesn’t matter who it is, what boss you’re working for, your job is to prove yourself every day. Try and live that way, try and be that way. As we go and grow together, Coach Ryans, myself, any other new coaches down the list, what can we do to prove ourselves today, every day we walk in the building?”

Although the new league year kicks off March 15 and the team’s offseason workouts begin April 3, the process to build the 2023 Texans has already begun in Ross’ eyes.

“Free agency, draft, starting the new playbook, whatever that might be,” said Ross. “We’re here to work and get ourselves to be the best football team we can be when the season rolls around.”

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Report: Texans retain special teams coach Frank Ross

The Houston Texans will be keeping Frank Ross as their special teams coordinator.

The Houston Texans may be on their third full-time coach in as many seasons, but they are managing to retain the same special teams coordinator.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans are keeping Frank Ross onboard as the team’s special teams coordinator for the 2023 campaign. Ross was initially hired as part of David Culley’s staff, held the same job for Lovie Smith’s staff in 2022, and will be in charge of the transition phase of the game for DeMeco Ryans’ first NFL season.

The Texans Wire speculated Ross would make it on Ryans’ staff as special teams coordinator.

The Texans’ 3-13-1 record overshadowed how well the special teams played in 2022. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn went 29-31 on field goals, including 6-6 on field goals of 50-plus yards. Fairbairn also connected 24-24 on extra points.

Punter Cam Johnston averaged 48.1 yards per punt, the 12th-best in the NFL. Johnston also had 37 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, tied with Washington’s Tress Way for the second-most in the league.

The return game was also strong for Houston as cornerback Tremon Smith had a 13.3 yards per punt and a 21.9 yards per kick return. Cornerback Desmond King had 9.4 yards per punt.

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Texans special teams coach Frank Ross relishes in teamers having success on offense, defense

Houston Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says he enjoys it when one of his players is having success on offense or defense.

Frank Ross has a limited amount of players on the 53-man roster he can work with to form his special teams units which cover kickoffs, punts, returns, and field goal tries and blocks.

Typical Ross is working with reserves on the Houston Texans roster. When injuries hit, those reserves are tapped, as was the case in Week 14 when cornerback Tremon Smith was called upon due to cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Steven Nelson being out. Same went for receiver Chris Moore as Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins missed the game.

When the reserves start to have big games on offense and defense, as Moore and Smith did, it should worry Ross about losing two of his best special teamers. However, the Texans’ special teams coach is simply thrilled “his guys” are starting to make an impact in other phases of the game.

“We’re excited for any Texans making big plays, of course,” Ross told reporters Dec. 15. “It definitely has a special place for you, especially as a special teams coach when those guys are getting their chances and making the most of their opportunities. You know, I try to stay level-headed and just give them a high five or a pat on the helmet because I want him to go out there and keep playing ball. But man, I was raving.”

Smith had a big game in the 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys as he picked off quarterback Dak Prescott twice.

“I would say the only thing is my dry sense of humor, I walked up to him and said, ‘Don’t forget about us now. Please come back and play on special teams and stay hungry with that Texans special teams attitude,'” Ross said.

Ross was also impressed with Moore’s game. The 6-1, 200-pound wideout caught 10 passes for 124 yards on offense, but was pivotal in downing punter Cam Johnston’s punt inside the 1-yard line with 8:01 to go and Houston leading 23-20. The poor field position for Dallas led to Prescott throwing his second interception to Smith, and giving the Texans first-and-goal at the Dallas 4-yard line.

Said Ross: “Anytime guys like that go make plays, great, they are coming back. Like Chris Moore. How about that game on offense? Coming back, gloves off, put him right in the mud going running down on what ended up being a critical downing of a punt. Need to continue to have that throughout the entire core unit.”

The Texans will need to rely on Smith and Moore to have big games in special teams and the other phases again as the injury situation remains the same for Houston heading into Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs.